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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Ilott, John

Ilott, John, J.P., Journalist and Press Agent, 13 Custom-house Quay, Wellington. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Mr. Ilott is the son of the late Dr. John Ilott, (M.R.C.S.E., L.K., and page 565 Q.C.P.I.,) latterly of Mount Ruby, Mallow, Ireland. He is a journalist who has had a wide Home and colonial experience. He came to New Zealand under medical advice, having soffered much from rheumatism. Landing in Wellington early in 1883, he proceeded thence via Auckland to Te Aroha; and, deriving the greatest benefit from its hot springs, settled there, and has since had no return of the distressing malady. The goldfields township was then a busy place, with several hundred miners at work in the immediate vicinity, and large numbers of visitors from every quarter. For seven or eight years he was connected with the Te Aroha News, most of the time as editor and managing partner, and took a very active part in the advancement of the district, the development of its thermal springs, mineral resources, etc., and was a member both of the Te Aroha Hot Springs Domain Board, and of the Te Aroha Town Board, which latter he had been largely instrumental in promoting. In 1887 the Stout-Vogel Government appointed Mr. Ilott a J.P., in which capacity he did a large part of the justice work of the district, and also filled the position of acting coroner. On leaving for Wellington in 1890, to take up a position on the New Zealand Times and New Zealand Mail, the Auckland papers spoke very highly of Mr. Ilott's energy and ability. While on the staff of the New Zealand Times and Mail, Mr. Ilott wrote a series of articles of a very practical and interesting character, descriptive of the opening up of the West Coast lands of the North Island, and the capacity, resources, and development of the various districts from Otaki northwards, entitled “Up the Manawatu” and “Up the West Coast.” About the end of 1891 he resigned his position to enter into business on his own account. Mr. Ilott is North Island managing agent for the following important journals:—Auckland Evening Star, Lyttelton Times, Otago Daily Times, Canterbury Times, Otago Witness, New Zealand Graphic, New Zealand Farmer, New Zealand Journal of Insurance, Mining and Finance; still, however, continuing in literary work also, as a correspondent and contributor.